Kansas Speedway has named Kelly Hale its manager of Public Relations. Hale, a native of Edwardsville, Kan., has worked for NASCAR as a coordinator of Communications for the past four years. During that time, she oversaw the advance media programs for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. She was also responsible for media outreach for NASCAR's Busch Series Champion's week.

Prior to joining NASCAR, Hale was the Community Relations manager for the Kansas City Comets of the Major Indoor Soccer League and was the public relations contact before her departure.

"Kelly is a talented and motivated person and will be a tremendous asset to our incredible staff," speedway President Jeff Boerger said. "She brings a great knowledge of motorsports and media with her, and is a proud Kansan that has come back home."

Hale started her career in 1998 with the Topeka ScareCrows of the Central Hockey League as the director of Public and Community Relations. She implemented the team's public and community relations initiatives and designed the community relations platform for the team owner's other hockey and baseball teams across the country.

"I'm looking forward to returning to my hometown to work for Kansas Speedway," Hale said. "It is one of the best tracks in the country and has a great staff and I'm excited to be a part of it."

Hale holds a bachelor's degree in sports science with an emphasis in sports information from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan.

She replaces Sammie Lukaskiewicz, who heads to Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., to be the Director of Communications for the International Speedway Corporation-owned racetrack.